Category: Ford

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Ford Opel Renault

Is the 206kW Astra OPC any good?

Opel Astra OPC

After seeing the Opel Astra OPC in the metal at the motor show in Sydney we’ve become very interested in the car. Frankly, having access to 206kW for a quite reasonable $42,990 will do that.

But all that power, plus a massive 400Nm of torque, going through the front wheels only—that can’t be good, can it? Opel has done its best to ensure the Astra OPC can handle its stonking power by uprating the suspension and fitting a proper limited slip diff. Has it worked?

Well, as you’ll see from the four videos we’ve found for you after the break, it’s a little bit of yes and a little bit of no. The OPC has been benchmarked against the Ford Focus ST by both Autocar and Evo, plus being sent down the strip against the Renault Megane RS 265.

Sounds like a test drive for ourselves will be the only way to find out for sure. If nothing else the Evo track test shows the Astra OPC can be a bit of a laugh.

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Ford Holden Hyundai Kia Motor Shows Nissan Peugeot Proton Range Rover Skoda Subaru Toyota

AIMS 2012 gallery: Best of the rest

2012 Australian International Motor Show

To close out our 2012 Australian International Motor Show coverage we bring you the highlights and lowlights from the rest of the manufacturers on show.

Our top three highlights:

  • Ford Evos concept—stunning lines
  • Kia Track’ster—actually very, very cool
  • Subaru BRZ by Possum Bourne Motorsport—track cred for the BRZ

Our top three lowlights

  • Holden Malibu—return to sender
  • Ford Focus ST—they must be taking the piss with that central dash
  • Isuzu D Max advertising—someone signed that off

And a special mention to the Nissan Pulsar SSS. My first new car was an Australian built N14 SSS, it was awesome and is still better to look at than this comeback horror story. AUSmotive’s assistant on the day described it as the ugliest car he’d ever seen. I put forward the new Honda CR-V as an alternate suggestion, but he wouldn’t be swayed.

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Ford WRC

Ford also withdraws factory support from WRC

Jari-Matti Latvala, Ford Fiesta RS WRC

First MINI, now Ford. In a matter of days two manufacturers have withdrawn their factory support from the world’s premier rally category. Ford has offered factory support to the M-Sport team since 1997. That support will cease at the end of the 2012 season.

Ford of Europe confirmed their exit on Monday with Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, stating this via an official press release: “Ford has a long and proud history in the WRC and this was not an easy decision. At this time, however we determined that it was better for the company and the Ford brand to reduce our commitment to the WRC and deploy our resources in other areas.”

The M-Sport team plans to continue in 2013 with their Fiesta RS WRC cars. In his response to Ford’s announcement team boss Malcolm Wilson said: “I would like to thank Ford of Europe for their enthusiastic support and the faith shown in the team over the past 16 seasons.

“We understand that tough decisions have had to be made to safeguard Ford jobs, we accept the commercial reality of the situation and look forward to continuing our strong technical partnership into the future.

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Ford WRC

Petter Solberg recommends the pinot gris

Petter Solberg, Ford Fiesta RS

While Sebastien Loeb was busy showing off by winning another world championship, Petter Solberg admitted defeat early and used the stunning scenery of Rallye de France to do a spot of impromptu wine tasting.

We have video of that for you here, and you can see that Petter needed two bites at the, err, grape in the Alsace region, before doing as all good drunks do and finding relief in the form of a telegraph pole.

Seriously, for a moment, this bizarre incident held some rather frightening potential, which you’ll see when the sparks start to fly. We’re thankful that nobody was injured and we can make light of the situation and hope that Solberg enjoys better luck next time around.

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Audi Bentley BMW Ferrari Ford Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Kia Lamborghini Lexus Motor Shows

2012 Paris Motor Show in pictures – part 1

2012 Paris Motor Show

The 2012 Paris Motor Show is well underway and for those of us who can’t make it we’ve assembled a photo gallery, which highlights what a blue collar show this has turned out to be. There’s no real theme of haute coutoure motoring here. It’s mostly off the rack bread and butter models.

Thankfully, the Jaguar F-Type brings some style and class. Conversely, when you stop and think about it, someone must have actually signed off an be responsible for the Honda CR-V. They should be fired. It is just horrible.

After the break you’ll see manufacturers listed alphabetically from A–L. Stay tuned for part 2 from Paris soon.

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Ford Mercedes-Benz Motorsports

The feral fallout for Stone Brothers Racing

Erebus Motorsport & Stone Brothers Racing

A quick glance over at the Stone Brothers Racing facebook page gives an insight into some of the least appealing aspects of V8 Supercars. For this author anyway. Here’s a sample of the comments from the Blue oval extremists, reacting to the news Stone Brothers will partner with Erebus Motorsport in Mercedes E Class AMG bodies from 2013:

[LANGUAGE WARNING]

Wayne Williams i hope you fucks cop shit at Bathurst . and i hope FPR and DJR continue on with Ford and seriously embaress you lot next year. and realise there is no room on the Mountain for the fans who support Mercedes or Nissan. this is still our Battle Ground.

Phil Claxton Oh well, might as well unlike now…thats one flag we wont be waving at Bathurst, thanks for the heads up. At least we wont waste any money in your merch shop. Pity your drivers are in the same boat….Boatpeople eh! Bye

Paul Berryman Very disappointed as im sure alot of ford / SBR fans will are. All I can say is….. WHY? . I think V8 supercars should be just Holden and Ford and the other makes should stay in the production class. They had different manufacturers in the 80s with BMW , Volvo, Nissan and VW , where did they all go? I say if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Wayne Williams looks like DJR and FPR have gained some very loyal supporters tonite, after the bullshit that was dealt out to them today. So i guess you are right in that it is all about surviving in business, and from now on the sales of supporter gear at FPR and DJR will skyrocket making there business survive. I hope Betty Klimenko gets greedy and ends up screwing the Stones Bro. over just like the Swarzkoft/DJR fiasco.

Wayne Williams TRUST NO ONE!!!!!

Nickole Prior Loyal supporter for 15 years. Now broken tonight. 🙁
And paul they are losing $$$ as it costs to much to take a family now a days to see a race. The v8s need to stop trying to be like f1.

Tamaoho Charles Lee Christensen-Oketopa I’m a Kiwi, and a STAUNCH FORD FAN… have enjoyed watching our Top Driver and Team do so well… I really hope their is a reason to watch next year…as I will only support FORD…NO EXCEPTIONS…R.I.P SBR…

Tamaoho Charles Lee Christensen-Oketopa All I care about is that lil blue oval, it sucks when your a fan of a driver and team for years, then they switch teams….Death before Dishonour…

John Vogl at least kelly brothers give plenty of notice but you pricks just let hard working people buy your merchendise throwing there money away all year fuckin shit house

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Ford WRC

Jari-Matti Latvala wins 2012 Wales Rally GB

Jari-Matti Latvala, Ford Fiesta RS WRC

Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala defended his 2011 victory by going back-to-back at the Wales Rally GB on the weekend. In doing so, he finally ended the sequence of five consecutive wins by Sebastien Loeb. Latvala set up his victory on the opening day, guiding his Fiesta RS WRC to a healthy lead of more than 20 seconds.

Over the next two days of competition Latvala’s lead remained above that 20 second barrier. However, the final day saw an epic fight between fellow Ford driver Petter Solberg and the irrepressible Sebastien Loeb.

In the end, Loeb just edged out Solberg by a slender 0.9 second margin to ensure the damage done to his title lead was minimal.

Australia’s Chris Atkinson just missed out on the final championship point offered for 10th place after he broke a left-rear toe-link on his MINI JCW WRC.

Loeb continues to lead the championship by an impossible 61 points over his Citroën teammate Mikko Hirvonen, while a tight battle is on for third place. Petter Solberg, Mads Ostberg and Jari-Matti Latvala are separated by just six points with three rallies to go. In the constructors’ title race not even daylight is close to Citroën. And Ford is behind daylight.

The WRC teams hit the French tarmac for Rally de France early next month.

Until then you can enjoy Ford’s great highlights package from the Welsh roads after the break.

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Audi Ford Kia Renault Safety Issues Volvo

Audi A3, Renault Clio & Volvo V40 among latest five star pupils

Audi A3

In the most recent test results published by Euro NCAP the newest Audi A3, Renault Clio and Volvo V40 models were all awarded the maximim possible five star safety rating.

The A3 scored 95% for adult occupants and was praised for its strong performance in the side barrier test. However, Euro NCAP state the A3’s bonnet design resulted in marginal to poor protection for pedestrians.

Renault’s fourth generation Clio rated best in the safety assist criterion with 99%, but registered only marginal protection against whiplash in the event of a rear-end collision.

A perfect score was recorded by the Volvo V40 for its safety assist systems. With a score of 88% for pedestrian safety the V40 was praised for its under-bonnet airbag.

Pictures and links to the full reports and videos can be found after the break.

[Source: Euro NCAP]

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Ford Formula 1

Robert Kubica completes Fiesta RS WRC test

Robert Kubica

Finally we have some good news for fans of Robert Kubica with word emerging from Europe that he recently tested a Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

Apparently Kubica attended an official test session with the Ford World Rally Team, where Jari-Matti Latvala and Petter Solberg were also in attendance.

Ford’s Malcom Wilson was a bit coy only confirming, “We had a four-day development test at a circuit in France, that’s all there is to it. It was a private test and I’m not prepared to comment further.”

So, it’s all a bit hush hush it seems, but Autosport reckon they’ve had the rumour verified and is quoting their source as saying, “Robert drove the car, we know this. And he drove the car well. He has the big passion for rally.”

Whatever the future holds for Kubica we wish him well in his recovery and reckon it would be great to see him back in an F1 car again.

[Source: Autosport]

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Ford News Random wallpapers

Ken Block Gymkhana FIVE wallpapers

Ken Block, Gymkhana FIVE wallpaper

Can you believe that Ken Block’s Gymkhana FIVE video has surpassed 20 million views in just one week! To celebrate we’ve taken advantage of Ford UK making these wallpapers of Ken tearing around San Francisco available for download. Simply click on each pic to load a 2000px super image.

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Ford Motorsports

Ken Block’s Gymkhana FIVE photo gallery

Ken Block's Gymkhana 5

Following the release of the Gymkhana FIVE video overnight here’s a few photos and the official word from DC Shoes marketing dept.

We have to say it was a good score to get San Francisco authorities to hand over the city to Ken Block and his crew. Something Block himself certainly appreciates, describing himself as a “lucky bastard”.

“San Francisco was absolutely amazing for Gymkhana,” said Block. “It’s such a unique location for this kind of driving and allowed me to do some things that I never thought I’d ever be able to incorporate into one of my Gymkhana videos—like jumping a table top or doing a jump drift!

“I’m stoked with how this project turned out and I’m truly a lucky bastard to have been able to do the things I was able to do on the streets of San Francisco. To all of the residents and people who allowed us to make this happen, thank you!”

[Source: DC Shoes]

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Ford News Video

Ken Block’s Gymkhana FIVE jumps early

Ken Block, Gymkhana 5, San Francisco

At least an hour before its scheduled debut Ken Block’s Gymkhana FIVE has been released via YouTube. Set in San Francisco, the sub title sets the bar by stating it’s “an epic use of an iconic city.”

Block’s latest Gymkhana franchise includes all the tricks you’ve seen before, including a cameo from Travis Pastrana as the latest donut dummy. We also quite liked the split screen helmet cam sequence and the airborne cornering stunt.

Enjoy!

[Thanks to Joel for the tip]

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